Dutton sells out Dandenong

Member for Isaacs Mark Dreyfus and Member for Bruce Julian Hill have slammed the Turnbull Government for its decision to shut the doors at the Dandenong Department of Immigration office.

The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP

Shadow Attorney General Shadow Minister for National Security Federal Member for Isaacs

Julian Hill MP

Federal Member for Bruce

DUTTON SELLS OUT DANDENONG

Member for Isaacs Mark Dreyfus and Member for Bruce Julian Hill have slammed the Turnbull Government for its decision to shut the doors at the Dandenong Department of Immigration office.

This decision, revealed in an email to Department of Immigration staff on 17 May 2017, shows just how out of touch the government is with the Australian community.

“This is a petty and pathetic act by a government that has demonstrated again and again that it has no interest in supporting the Greater Dandenong community,” Mr Dreyfus said.

“The government ran no consultation with the Greater Dandenong community and is now closing this office that has supported tens of thousands of local families. Mr Dutton should hang his head in shame.”

Member for Bruce Julian Hill said he was deeply disappointed at the government’s abandonment of the Greater Dandenong community.

“The Turnbull government is planning to splurge $250 million on a new immigration head office in Canberra, yet it won’t support residents in Melbourne’s south-east by keeping open this small office with a reported rent of just $200,000 per annum,” Mr Hill said.

“Cutting these jobs from the suburbs is a stupid decision by the Liberal Government. More than 20,000 people who used the Dandenong office every year will be forced to travel 35kms to Melbourne’s CBD for face-to-face service, crowding trains and roads.”

“Make no mistake, this government has abandoned our community. They know nothing about the needs of Greater Dandenong and have never taken the time to ask or to visit. And now the Dandenong community is paying for the Liberals’negligence and mismanagement.”